'Fore' reasons to visit San Antonio

We have heard great things about San Antonio, but it remains on the list of "places we'd really like to get to someday." The Alamo is a major lure, and the city also boasts a growing reputation for superb wine and cuisine. Plus there's the River Walk, with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and historic landmarks along two miles of paths that border the San Antonio River. The latest incentive -- for us, anyway -- is the local twilight golf program. Several area courses have joined forces to offer reduced greens fees in the afternoon and evening on some outstanding courses. An ambitious player might even squeeze in 36 holes in the p.m., since some of the specials begin at 1 o'clock, and darkness doesn't typically descend until 8:30 or so between May and July. Dozens of award-winning courses are offering specials that include carts, and there are even discounts off the reduced rates for golfers 55 and older. Courses range from historic municipal layouts to championship venues and world-class resorts. Pecan Valley Golf Club hosted the 1968 PGA Championship, won by Julius Boros by one shot over Arnold Palmer and Bob Charles, and the classic J. Press Maxwell design received a $5.5 million renovation 10 years ago (the 152-yard 3rd hole is pictured). Another highlight is the Westin LaCantera Resort, nestled in the Texas Hill Country just north of the city. Its two courses (the Resort and Palmer) offer gorgeous views of the city, waterfalls, and dramatic limestone outcroppings, and the Resort Course is the longtime host course for the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open. Not to worry: there are five sets of tees, so you won't have to play it from the same lengths as Justin Leonard did when he took the title for the third time last fall. To find out more about golf around San Antonio, go here.